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Sources: Obama plans W.H.-GOP budget group

Obama has pressed congressional leaders for another shot at a 'grand bargain.' | AP Photos

Still, one senior Democratic source cast the process as part of a larger bipartisan effort in the not-too-distant future, engineered by the White House, that would eventually include a roster of top Democratic budget negotiators.

Obama, the source said, “is looking to replicate the ‘gang’ approach that has been working on immigration reform.”

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People close to Obama insisted wouldn’t be a “gang,” Beltway shorthand for a bipartisan group that would work outside of the regular legislative process, but would function as an adjunct to standard channels of negotiation between the House and Senate.

“The president has made clear that he wants to work with both sides to see if we can find a caucus of common sense to find a solution to our deficit challenges,” the official told POLITICO.

“We are continuing to follow up on the conversations the President has had with a number of Senate Republicans on a staff level to do that, and we will be continuing that outreach in the days and weeks ahead. But to be clear, there are no “gangs” — the president is and always has been willing to work with anyone who wants to find a balanced, reasonable approach to these issues.”

The bipartisan push comes about two weeks after Obama released a $3.77 trillion budget proposal — including $583 billion in new revenue from the wealthy — that was roundly rejected by Republicans who have flatly refused to consider any new taxes as part of a long-term budget-balancing effort.

Obama has been stung by a spate of recent articles and columns blaming his lack of outreach and legislating skills for the demise of the Senate gun bill last week. McDonough, a former Hill staffer who personally lobbied for the measure, has been an internal advocate for greater bipartisan communication.